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LOT 3131
Exceptional, Documented Henry Nettleton Inspected U.S. Cavalry Model Colt Single Action Army Revolver with Factory Letter and John Kopec Gold Seal Letter - Serial no. 48131, 45 LC cal., 7 1/2 inch round bbl., blue/ casehardened finish, walnut grips. Offered here is a well-documented example of an exceptional U.S. Colt Cavalry
Model Revolver inspected by Ordnance Sub-Inspector Henry Nettleton as manufactured in 1878. Per the included
factory letter this revolver was sold to the U.S. Government and delivered to the U.S. Government inspector at the Colt plant on July 17, 1878. This was part of a 150 unit shipment. The included John Kopec gold seal letter for this revolver indicates that this revolver was part of a group of Cavalry Models in “near-new condition” which “had been sold by the Springfield Armory to private individuals during the 1920s. We believe that the Armory had located several shipping crates of these unissued revolvers during this time. An actual receipt of one of these transactions is illustrated on the ‘dust jacket’ of our book, ‘Colt Cavalry & Artillery Revolvers’”. The receipt is also pictured on page 56 of this book. This receipt is for nos. 48132 (one digit away from this revolver) and 48953. Commenting on the condition of this revolver, Kopec noted in the letter, “The factory blue finish of this revolver remains outstanding.” The accompanying R.L. Wilson letter confirms the information found in the factory letter, grip markings and the revolver’s “outstanding” condition, calling it “one of the finest known [Nettleton inspected] specimens.” Sub-inspector Henry Nettleton used a combination of early and later ordnance inspection procedures and as a result, his inspected Cavalry Models feature his “HN” initials in more locations, including the hammer, than with any other series. His “HN” stamping on the hammer appears on this example. Additional “HN” stampings appear on the frame, trigger guard, barrel, back strap, cylinder, and bottom of the grip. The grip has the date “1878” and the oval “J.E.G” cartouche of Ordnance Inspector Captain John E. Greer on the left side and “HN” cartouche on the right side. “P” proof marks are stamped on the bottom of the barrel and on the side of the cylinder. The top of the barrel has the correct two-line Hartford address with the two lines under the “Co” marking. The left side of the trigger guard has the three-line patent dates followed by “US.” The ejector rod has the “donut” head. The assembly number 6003” is stamped on the inside of the loading gate. The full serial number is stamped on the bottom of the frame, trigger guard, and back strap. The partial serial number “8131” is stamped on the cylinder. As Kopec stated in his aforementioned letter, “the ejector tube was not removed during our examination as a precautionary measure.”